Tinkerbox is a free app that revolves around physics and engineering problem solving games. Users apply the scientific process to solve puzzles and creative build options to make devices that will complete their goals. This app has multiple modes - Puzzle Mode and Invent Mode. Users have building challenges in Puzzle Mode, create mechanical inventions in Invent Mode and then are able to test their creations or even email them to other users. Users are exposed to many building tools, just a few of which are motors, ropes, buttons, tipping dominoes and conveyor belts.
Benefits of Tool or App
Users are able to put their knowledge of simple and complex machines to work as they attempt to solve problems of increasing difficulty. Students with basic knowledge of force and motion will the apply to apply concepts to puzzles.
Users are also able to express their creativity as they build their own machines with a wide variety of building tools. Users are able to test out these creations and troubleshoot their mistakes with design revisions.
Users can email their creations to other users in order to share ideas - encourages sharing and critique.
Users hear "problem-solving" music throughout their experience with the app. This enhances the game-like feel of the app and will be attractive to student users.
Constraints of Tool or App
A tutorial on many of the tools is required to be completed before puzzle modes open.
Free play is not available upon opening app for the first time.
Knowledge of how tools work prior to using app is essential for productivity. While first few puzzles are simple, users must understand simple and complex machines as well as balanced and unbalanced forces in order to progress and later build their own devices.
Dragging and placing tools on a very small screen (such as a smart phone) is somewhat difficult. An iPad screen is perfect.
This app is not available on Android devices. This may limit which users have ready access to it.
How To Use Tool or App
This is a free app from Autodesk and Subatomic Studios available to iPhone and iPad and can be downloaded from the App Store. Users start by going through a tutorial on many of the tools - partially to familiarize them with the screen layout and the timing of placing an item and then making the machine run. The tutorial must be completed in order to access the multiple modes in this app.
How to:
Download Tinkerbox for iPhone or iPad
Open app and view Home Screen
Click on the Puzzles button
Click on the first button, Training. Training will expose the user to skills and tools needed in the app. Skills learned include accessing tools, dragging to appropriate locations within the available work space, rotating and connecting tools, and finally running the completed machine.
After completing Training, other levels of puzzles open
Users can click the x in the upper right corner to go back to the Home Screen
Other options on the Home Screen include Invent, Options and Information.
Users can alter sounds and selection options within Options.
Users can create new machines, upload them and email to others within Invent
Original Artifact of Tool or App (created by someone in your house)
This is a screen shot of puzzle mode within Tinkerbox. You can see available tools in the column on the right that may be dragged to the locations you believe will help you meet your stated goal!
IDEAS for Tool or App
Student |
solve problems based on knowledge of simple machines, balanced and unbalanced forces
build machines to complete tasks
share machines with other student users
Teacher |
encourage creative problem solving based on knowledge of simple machines, balanced and unbalanced forces
set tasks for machine use - students will build to suit the assigned task and test (scientific process application!)
encourage reflection on other students' machines via sharing feature
Description of Tool or App
Tinkerbox is a free app that revolves around physics and engineering problem solving games. Users apply the scientific process to solve puzzles and creative build options to make devices that will complete their goals. This app has multiple modes - Puzzle Mode and Invent Mode. Users have building challenges in Puzzle Mode, create mechanical inventions in Invent Mode and then are able to test their creations or even email them to other users. Users are exposed to many building tools, just a few of which are motors, ropes, buttons, tipping dominoes and conveyor belts.Benefits of Tool or App
Constraints of Tool or App
How To Use Tool or App
This is a free app from Autodesk and Subatomic Studios available to iPhone and iPad and can be downloaded from the App Store. Users start by going through a tutorial on many of the tools - partially to familiarize them with the screen layout and the timing of placing an item and then making the machine run. The tutorial must be completed in order to access the multiple modes in this app.How to:
Original Artifact of Tool or App (created by someone in your house)
IDEAS for Tool or App
Student |
Teacher |
- encourage creative problem solving based on knowledge of simple machines, balanced and unbalanced forces
- set tasks for machine use - students will build to suit the assigned task and test (scientific process application!)
- encourage reflection on other students' machines via sharing feature
orOTHER |